Ok, my '96 Z28 needs brakes really bad, and I'm thinking about replacing the stock suspension with the SLP Level One suspension kit, too.

As a novice, but someone pretty competent, would it be tough to rebuild both the brakes and suspension for the first time or should I just send it out???

I'd like to save myself some cash, but I want to be able to do it all right the first time without any worries. I am a weekend mechanic and have the original manuals, too.

Any opinions for me???

 

Well, I'm also pretty novice when it comes to cars as well, I've always sent my stuff off to get them done. I did both the front and rear brakes...it was pretty easy and didn't take long. I also did the rear shocks...they were really easy. Just pull back some of the carpet in the trunk for access to the top and unbolt the bottom...while the car is up. I will be doing my own LCA's and have heard it is pretty simple...so i've heard. Never done the sway bars or the front shocks or any springs...but it cant be too hard. Just get a buddy that knows what he's doing and have him walk you through. My .02 atleast.

 

Brakes are easy.
I rebuilt the front suspension on my 94 recently and I put all poly bushings in and KYB shocks and a drag launch kit.
Need a good set of tools metric and standard and I pulled the front shock assemblies and had a local garage put together the new spring shock assembly, and I had them burn out the old bushings and install my new poly ones and then I put it all back together. It is not too bad just be prepared for the car to be down for awhile and do some cleaning while the suspension is apart.
You will save quite a bit of cash by doing this yourself, very labor intensive operation.